Pavel Sapozhnikov: Experiencing Life as a 10th Century Russian Hermit

2014 was certainly a year to remember for a then-24-year-old Russian man. He spent eight months of that year in a social experiment. The purpose? To experience what life was like for a 10th century Russian hermit living in the freezing wilderness.

Pavel Sapozhnikov, from Moscow, was only permitted freedom from the project running from September through May if his mental or physical health was deemed unfit to continue or if his life was threatened. Illness was expected and had to be dealt with as if he contracted a disease back in the 10th century.

Living as a hermit in the harsh Russian winter. (Casaejardim)

The task laid out for Sapozhnikov was certainly difficult. He had to live his hermit life in a replica of a 10th century farm house 50 miles (80.47 km) north of Moscow. The house was built according to archaeologist Alexander Fetisov’s directions and was created with materials and building techniques available to ancient Russians. Fire lights that burn linseed oil, wooden beds, animal fur clothes and bedding, and a calendar scratched into the wall – these became the elements of daily life for Sapozhnikov.